Abstract
The purpose of this study was to look for the most effective toothbrushing force for children using the scrubbing method with a medium hardness tooth- brush, under the same conditions except that the toothbrushing forces were changed from 100 g,200 g,300 g,400 g and 500 g, and to concider the toothbrushing efficiencies and the occurrence of pain and bleeding.
Result:
1) With the force of 100 g, the toothbrushing efficiency was 30.2%. With that of 200 g,300 g,400 g and 500 g, the toothbrushing efficiencies were 44.3%,76.1%,76.7% and 73.4%.
The T-test used to evaluate relationship between these toothbrushing forces showed significant defferences between 100 g,200 g and 300 g, but showed insignificant differences between 300 g,400 g and 500 g.
2) With the forces of 100 g and 200 g, their efficiencies varied with the parts brushed. However with the forces of 300 g,400 g and 500 g, their efficiencies did not vary with the parts brushed.
3) With the force of 400 g,8 children complained of pains and 3 children revealed bleeding at their marginal gingiva. With the force of 500 g,11 children complained of pains and 5 children revealed bleeding at their marginal gingiva. Conclusion: All things considered, with these brushes 300 g was an adequate toothbrushing force for children with the scrubbing method.
